(PENSACOLA) -- There are deep divisions and skepticism among Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) board members regarding the proposed Bay Center renovations of the city-built convention center.
And that doesn't even come from me.
That is the AI-platform's report on the lengthy discussion at today's regularly scheduled meeting:
"Consultants presented four development scenarios, but members like Vice Chair Charles Bare and Board Member Allison Patton raised pointed concerns about financial risks, the proposed location's suitability, and the county's potential lack of cooperation on funding (specifically bed tax)," the platform reports.
(Photo: Proposed Bay Center project presented to the Community Redevelopment Agency today).
The AI platform that accompanies my reporting no longer amazes me with its summary's accuracy, as you can read here.
As for Bare's and Patton's actual words on the risks, benefits, and the public's role, that is where I come in. Bare made it clear right from the beginning, 30 minutes into the presentation, that "this should have been a workshop and a discussion on the agenda, there is too much to talk about."
But first, I start with Mayor D.C. Reeves, who, at the beginning of the consultants' project description, thanked the CRA "for supporting this project," as if it were already going his way. Those days may be over, according to my last CRA report "Community Redevelopment Agency Administration May Be Out of Mayor's Hands."
"This is not just a city thing or a county thing," Reeves said. "This is really the lifeblood of this region."
(Photo: Mayor D.C. Reeves pushes for Bay Center renovations, or city-built convention center)
But that did not satisfy Bare or Patton after the 20-minute presentation, which broke down four different scenarios:
Number one, the city builds and operates a standalone convention center. Two, the city funds the convention center, and a private partner delivers a hotel. Three, a private developer delivers a hotel, entertainment, parking, retail, and the city retains the convention center. Four is scenario three, along with transit investments to unlock TIFIA/TOD (Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, Transit-Oriented Development).
(Photo: Presentation slide regarding four possible convention center ideas considered at CRA meeting)
"So if we are making choices and the convention center is the choice, then what I really want to understand is what the risks are financially," Patton said.
Additionally, while she admits that having a convention center with more than one use is a concern.
"I think if this were easy to build, someone would have figured out how to build it already, and we would have a model and just say ok, let's do that here," Patton. "It seems a little more complicated than it might appear to create a space that will accomplish all of these different objectives."
(Photo: Councilman Charles Bare raises financial and location concerns on project proposals)
The biggest thing to talk about is the "75 million that's been mentioned," according to Bare.
"I served on the TDC (Tourist Development Council) and whatever the county wants to do with that, that's what they're going to do with it," Bare said. "If they make upgrades to the Bay center, as we're going to do with all 75 million of it, we may not see a penny of it."
It's also about the proposed area, according to Bare.
"If you look at what's around there, there's a dilapidated hotel, nothing against the businesses within walking distance," Bare said, adding, "You're also severely limited by the interstate that comes down and loops around."
There are just too many "unanswered questions," according to Bare.
"I don't think it's the right location, I think funding is a big challenge," Bare said. So I don't know what's going to happen at the county meeting when we meet with them."
When it comes to the city and council working together, Reeves made it clear, "I want us to move this forward to whatever direction it goes."
However, without more information, including Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier, not all board members seem to want it as much as Reeves.
(Photo: Councilwoman Jennifer Brahier raises concerns over project at CRA meeting)
"I do have a concern about yet another entertainment district and another and another and another, and that we do it so quickly that the economy doesn't absorb it and we risk our crown jewel, which to me is Palafox," Brahier said.
While most of the two-hour meeting was dedicated to "what if" scenarios, other Key Takeaways included a project update on the Alice S. Williams Childcare Project at 1015 North E. Street, expected to be completed at the end of May.
The AI platform takeaway is exactly what happened, with no need to note Bare's exact words this time.
"Vice Chair Bare criticized the city for spending $550,000 on renovations, suggesting this expense could have been avoided with earlier engagement with CAPC (Community Action Program Committee)," according to the platform.
Additionally, the CRA reallocated $95,000 from the Palafox Pier Fountain Improvement Project to the Alcona Street Streetscape Improvement Project, specifically for crosswalk design and initial construction from Garden Street to Bayfront Parkway (6-0 vote).
(Photo: OpGov.News Key Takeaways from the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting April 7)
Also, the CRA authorized $25,000 of the original $120,000 allocation for the Palafox Pier fountain project, with Marina management partnering to move the pump above ground and the remaining funds for resurfacing and repairs (6-0 vote).
The meeting between the city and council is April 16 at 9 a.m., as reported yesterday in the Agenda Conference report.
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